Leyvis j



(No Model.)

L. J. NORTHERN. MOWING AND- REAPING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 7, 1897.

Q meme) 3% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

LEWIS J. oam-inns, or HIGHLAND, KANSAS.

MOWING AND REAPlNG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,611, dated September 7, 1897. Application filed September 9,1896. Serial No. 605,338. (No model) To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, LEWIS J. NORTHERN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Highland, in the county of Doniphan and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mowing and Reaping Machines; and I do hereby declare the fol lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'the same. 7

Myinvention relates to mowing and reaping machines, and more particularly to the cutting mechanism thereof.

My object is to dispense with the ordinary form of reciprocating knife-bar which is operated by the usual pitman and to provide improved cutting mechanism which will he more quiet in its operation and will mow the grass or grain: in a superior manner and which, owing to its peculiar construction, can be easily driven and will be simple in its construction and operation.

I Having this object in view, my invention consists of certain improved mechanisms the details of which will appear more fully in the following description-"and vappended claim, and in the accompanying d'rawingsyin which Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowing a mowing-machincequipped with my improvements; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view thereof; Fig. 3, a detail of one of the knives and a connecting-link, and Fig. 4 a detail sectional view of a finger-bar and one of the knives passing therethrough The numeral 1 designates the usual forwardly-disposed crank-shaft. In place of the ordinary wrist wheel or pinion connected to this shaft I employ a sprocket-wheel 2, which is connected thereto. The frame to which .the knife and cuttenbars commonly employed are pivotedih' designated by the numeral 3. The numeral 4, designates a standard which is suitably connected to this frame, and 5 represents a stationary spindle which is connected to the standard, On this spindle there is locatledarotatahle sleeve 6*, having one end projctin lnto'the standard, and formed integral sit or keyed to this sleeve is a sprocket 7, which is provided wi th a be rel gear-face 8. A chain 9 passes over said sprocket and thesprocket on the crankshaft.

be described later, move.

for revolution a sleeve 15.

AtlO is shown the base-plate of my int proved cutting mechanism, andsaid plate is pivoted to frame 3 by any preferred. pivotal connection 11.

At 12 are shown a series of fingers such as commonly employed on the cutting mechanism of mowing-machines, these fingers being fastened to the fro'nt portion of the base-plate. The fingers are provided with a channel 13, in which a portion of the cutting-knives, to Otherwise the fingers are of the same construction as those ordinarily employed. Near the hinged end of the base-plate there is located a vertical stationary spindle 14, which is connected thereto. On this spindle there is mounted A sprocket 16, having four teeth, is connected to or formed integral. with the lower portion of the sleeve, while 17 designates a bevel gear which meshes with gear-face 8. At the opposite end of the base-plate there is located a sheave-housing 18, in which is located a sheave 19, which rotates on a spindle 20, connected to the sheavehousing. The sheave housing is provided with two sets of slots 21, and bolts 22 pass through these slots into sets of bolt-openings 23, located in parallel relation-longitudinally of the base-plate. By this means the sheave and its frame can be adjusted in relation to the bevel-gear at the other end of the baseplate to serve a purpose, described hereinafter.

The numerals 25 designate the cuttingknives. The tips of these knives are cut off square, as at 26, while 27 designates the beveled and inclined cutting edge. The numeral 28 designates a slide, which is movable in the channel 13 of the fingers, so that the knives are guided in their movement. The knife and the slides are connected together by pins 29.

The numeral 30 designates a link which is provided with respective rebeut ends, forming hooks 31 and 32. These hooks engage with the pins of the adjacent knives and connect the latter together. The teeth of the sprocket 16 on the sleeve i5 pass in between the pins of each knife, and as the knives are formed into an endless chain, which passes around said sprocket and the sheave, the knives are adapted to move continuously in one direction when the machine isin motion.

I At 33 are showna series of guides or lips which mconnectod to the base-plate and in which the inner edges of the, knives run, so

" that the-latter are kept in proper relation to 5 the fingers.

" Whenever it is desirableto tighten onloosen' the chain of knives or to shorten or lengthen said chain, the sheave frame or casing can be adjusted along the base-plate and clamped in 10 position by the bolts.

- Ely-improved cutting mechanism requires very little power for its operation, and it mews in a highly superior manner and is very quiet when inuse. p v It isto be understood that I do. not limit myself to the precise construction herein shown and described, but eons'ider'that I am A entitled to all such variations as come with n the spirit and scope of myinvention.

#6; Having thus described myi-n vention, what Patent, is:-

' claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters In a cutting mechanism forl mowing apd reaping niachincs, the combination with a pl-nraiity of fingers providedwith channels, of flat cutter-knives movable across said fingers, flat lower slides fitting snugly yet easily in the channel so as to be niovabletherein, said slides being located below the knives, upright pins connecting the slides with the knives, the slide of one knife being independent of the adjacent slide, and links, each consisting of flat strips having both ends bent toward each other and said bent or hooked ends engaging with adjacent pins of adjacent knives.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two snbscrii? 

